Died On This Date (November 14, 2008) Irving Gertz / Sci-Fi and TV Composer
themusicsover Irving Gertz
May 19, 1915 – November 14, 2008
Irving Gertz was a respected composer who came to prominence due to his work on science fiction and fantasy b-films of the ’50s and ’60s. After serving in the US Army Signal Corps during World War 2, Gertz went to work in Hollywood, creating music for such films as The Leech Woman, and The Alligator People, and such TV shows as Land of the Giants and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Irving Getz was 92 when he passed away on November 14, 2008.
Jerome Kern was a prolific American composer who has some 700 songs to his credit. Throughout his career he wrote such future standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “Ol’ Man River,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Kern’s long career found him mostly writing for the theater, penning songs for such classic shows as Roberta, Show Boat and Zigfield Follies. In many cases, he also scored the films that were based on his Broadway musicals. He won two Academy Awards for songs that appeared in films. On November 5, 1945, Kern, 60, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while walking to a drugstore in New York City. He died as a result six days later.
George M. Cohan was a popular songwriter, composer, producer, singer and actor who was one of the biggest draws on Broadway during the ’40s. Cohan took to entertaining early, performing as a dancer in family productions along the Vaudeville circuit. He began writing and selling songs at the turn of the century, his first hit being “Give My Regards to Broadway.” He became one of the most prolific writers in what became to be known as Tin Pan Alley in New York City. Some estimates put his output at as many as 1500 songs. During that time he also produced many popular Broadway shows. During the ’30s, Cohan turned his sights on film and began appearing in popular movies of the day. And they were just song-and-dance roles, but serious drama parts. In 1942, Yankee Doodle Dandy, a musical adaptation of his life was released. Playing Cohan in the film was James Cagney, who one the Best Actor Academy Award that year. On November 5, 1942, George M. Cohan died of cancer at the age of 64.
Bobby Scott was a notable jazz pianist who, remarkably, turned professional when he was just 11. By the time he was 15, he was touring with the likes of 
Paul Mauriat was a French conductor and orchestra leader who is best remembered for his 1968 #1 single, “Love Is Blue.” It remained at the top of the U.S. singles chart for five weeks. Mauriat’s music is generally classified as easy listening. He came to prominence during the ’50s as musical director for Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. He scored several soundtracks and toured the world playing to adoring fans. He was 81 when he passed away on November 3, 2006.
